H30 mast step and comp post

[malyea]

Just about to close a deal and take ownership of a '82 H30, maybe.

Since the search function for this forum is nearly useless (I get fed info from 'trailer sailor'....) could someone diagram (in words or drawings....) exactly how the mast step, cabin roof, compression post, facia box, 'I' beam, crossmember, etc, etc is designed and constructed.

What sits on what, what's connected to what, what's load-bearing and whats not...basically explain how the "leg bone's connected to the whatever bone".

I'll have to address/deal with some rusting on the metal component located in the bilge and if the job gets bigger than naval jelley, epoxy and fiberglass, I'd like to know how it was all assembled at the factory.

Thanks

 

[digby sailor]

assembly

I can tell you how it assembled from top to bottom.firstly the mast sits on an aluminum step which is bolted through the cabin top by fou stainless nuts and bolts,the nuts are covered by the compression post which sits under the mast step/cabin top.The compression post is fir I beleive and is sheathed in 1/2 inch teak.The teak is secured by bronze wood screws covered by teak plugs.Under the post is 1/4 inch teak and holly sole,under that is 3/4 inch plywood,then the steel ibeam that sits in the bilge.The ibeam is set in fiberglass or epoxy and coated about half way up.That is all that holds it in place the epoxy no mechanical fasteners.To remove the ibeam and replace it everything above it should be removed ie mast compression post etc otherwise you risk deforming the mast step area of the deck.Hope this helps.

 

[Phil Herring]

The search function for this forum works very well... IF you click the search tab and read the instructions.

 

[malyea]

Re: assembly

Thanks digby -

When I look in the bilge, I see the vetical I beam that is epoxied in place resting on the keel, it appears to be about 8" long/high. It seems to join a metal cross member oriented athwartships about 8" up from the keel made of the same size/shape metal as the 8" vertical piece.

Am I seeing it correctly, is the vertical metal welded to the horizontal metal piece? If so, how is the horizontal piece connected to the hull under the cabin sole?

Thanks

Phil - Thanks, I'll read the directions - though I will say, thus far it leaves much to be desired in the 'user friendly intuitiveness mode'

 

[Ed Schenck]

Have to agree with Phil(usually do) on the search for H30 "compression post", "Find exact phrase". I just did that search for the 30_78-83 and got 77 hits. I do not like to select a forum because people use different ones. In the 77 hits you will see at least three different forums.

 

[malyea]

Now, back to the question at hand -

Digby -

When I look in the bilge, I see the vetical I beam that is epoxied in place resting on the keel, it appears to be about 8" long/high. It seems to join a metal cross member oriented athwartships about 8" up from the keel made of the same size/shape metal as the 8" vertical piece.

Am I seeing it correctly, is the vertical metal welded to the horizontal metal piece? If so, how is the horizontal piece connected to the hull under the cabin sole?

Thanks

 

[ggrizzard]

It's an "I beam", that is, one piece of forged steel that, on end, looks like an "I". The bottom of the I beam sits in the bilge, above the keel and is glassed in to the keel. Above the top of the I beam is a piece of 1" plywood to which the cabin sole (teak and holly veneer plywood) is attached (glued). Maybe someone could draw it for you.

 

[malyea]

I need to figure out how to post a photo because what you are describing is not what I'm seeing in my H30 which is an '82 model.

I don't have an 'I' beam - the iron beam in my boat is basically a metal 2"x2". It does appear to be glassed to the keel and extends vertically about 8-10" where it meets a 2x2 metal cross member oriented athwartships.

My question - is the vertical metal welded to the horizontal metal piece?

If so, how is the horizontal piece connected to the hull under the cabin sole?

What are the components from the horizontal cross member up to the base of the mast?

I'm beginning to think I may have a different configuration than some of you may have....

 

[ggrizzard]

Not Sure, but you may have a "previous owner" modified mast step. If that is the case, you'll need to determine what's broken and then decide how to fix it. The group here could help, if you would supply pics of your current set-up.

 

[malyea]

OK thanks. I'm going to dig around more in the bilge, talk to Hunter, see what I can figure out and then get back with questions.

 

[Dalliance]

Here is a quick cross section diagram of my 1982 H30. Hopefully it's legible. The design is very different than the H30's of other years. The vertical and horizontal steel tubes are welded together and fiberglass wraps about half way up the vertical tube in the bilge.

I cut the fiberglass off the compression post base two years ago to inspect the condition of the steel. I was releaved to find just surface corrosion (The boat has never been in salt water.), so I simply wire brushed it clean and primed and painted it. I also filled some gaps under the base plate with thickened epoxy, then sealed the edges of the plate to the fiberglass bilge with 5200. I have no intention covering it with fiberglass again.

As you can see from the diagram, this is not just an isolated compression post, the horizontal tube actually bends upward like a pair of "ribs" to to a connection with 3 stainless steel rods which fan out to the chain plates. Sorry, I don't recall the exact design of the connection.

 

[malyea]

Dalliance - Thanks a million! Picture's worth a gazillion words! Design looks quite seaworthy and I think I have only surface rust. I'll repeat your fix on 'Bout Time and then off to the races. Thanks!!!!!!

 

[Dalliance]

You're welcome. Glad to be of help. You've got yourself a good boat.